Quilting Therapy

Stitching Sessions Provide Seniors With A Creative Outlet.

POMPANO BEACH - — Mattie Young has poor hearing and no sight in one eye, but her ability to stitch a quilt is as sharp as a sewing needle.

Young, 86, quilted "Over the River," a pattern composed of more than 1,000 small pieces of colorful cotton cloth.

"It's good therapy - it keeps the mind functioning," said Cloretta Williams, activities coordinator at the Mitchell Moore Senior Center in Pompano Beach, where about 35 people spend their mornings on craft projects.

Group members, who belong to the Ely Senior Program, began sewing quilts about two years ago, partly for enjoyment and partly for physical therapy.

Most of the seniors have health problems ranging from arthritis to heart trouble to diabetes. Many are recuperating from strokes or surgery. Just about all are new to the art of quilt-making.

"It keeps the hand muscles moving," said Josie Hall, 79, who did her quilt in the "Bow Tie" pattern.

Their work is usually done by hand with more advanced members using sewing machines. It takes about three to six months to complete a project.

"We show them what to do," said Mamie Allen, a nutritionist at the center who also helps oversee the Ely program, which is geared for low-income seniors. "They use instinct."

Luvina Scruggs chose the pattern "Grandma's Roses" for her first quilt, made colorful with blue leaves and a green and pink flowered theme.

Jeanetta Williams, 66, had never even sewn a hem before trying her hand at her first quilt. "It was tenacious, but I was determined," she said. "I wanted to see if I could do one."

Most of the designs focus on flowers and stars. The quilts can be used as bed coverings or be displayed on racks.

"You want to put colors together that kind of blend," said Precious Campable, who pieced together a quilt from scraps.

Clients enrolled at the senior program, sponsored by Pompano Beach, receive a hot meal each day (provided by Broward's Meals on Wheels), partake in arm chair exercise sessions, play bingo and get their blood pressure taken.

They usually buy their own supplies for their projects. Cloretta Williams also helps out by bringing in materials that she pays for herself.

"There are a lot of seniors who want to do quilts but they don't have the funds," Allen said.

Occasionally the group receives donated materials from cloth stores. Although they don't aggressively pursue fund-raising, they are seeking donations for future projects.

In November, the seniors made their own charitable contribution by stitching lap quilts, afghans, hats and bibs for clients residing at Dianas Home, a retirement facility in Pompano Beach, Allen said.

They also displayed about 20 of their handmade quilts at a fashion show at the senior center before Thanksgiving.

Another show is expected to follow in May, when the quilts may be put up for sale to raise money for supplies.

But for now, the seniors continue to sew the quilts for themselves and family members. The new skill has given some renewed confidence.

"I didn't want to do it, but I like to do it," said Cleo Salters, 66. "I was doing it in my mind."

James Marshall, 83, the only man in the group, said he used to quilt in his earlier years before resuming the hobby. Although his daughter wanted the quilt he was sewing, he opted to keep it.

"It wore me out," he says of the work that went into turning pieces of cloth into a colorful, star-patterned quilt.

Campable uses her quilts as part of a reward system.

"I told my granddaughter, `You go to college, I'll make you a quilt.'''